In the clinic, we often meet patients with genital herpes. Due to the ease of recurrence of the disease, patients often have a heavy burden on their minds. We would like to explain about genital herpes. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused mainly by herpes simplex virus II (HSVII). Its incidence is second only to gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis in Western countries. The disease is highly prevalent and can infect newborns through the placenta and birth canal, leading to miscarriage and neonatal death, and is also associated with the development of cervical cancer, which is more dangerous and has received much attention. Etiology HSV-2 is the main pathogen of genital herpes (90%) and is present in the exudate of skin and mucosal damage, prostatic secretions, cervical and vaginal secretions and is transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse, causing primary genital herpes. After the primary genital herpes has subsided, the residual virus is latent in the sacral ganglion along the nerve axis via the peripheral nerves for a long time, and the latent virus can be activated and recur when the body’s resistance is lowered or by certain stimulating factors such as fever, cold, infection, menstruation, gastrointestinal disorders, trauma, etc. Humans are the only host of the herpes virus, and the virus cannot survive outside the body, as it can be inactivated by ultraviolet light, ether and general disinfectants. The incubation period of primary genital herpes infection is about 3 to 5 days, the affected area first has a burning sensation, erythema, and soon 3 to 10 small blisters in clusters occur on the surface of the erythema, which become small pustules after a few days, and then break down to form a vesicular surface and shallow ulcers, with local redness and burning pain. In female patients, it mostly occurs in the labia, perineum, and vagina, but about 90% of patients can also invade the cervix causing cervicitis or uterine inflammation; in male patients, it mostly occurs in the glans, coronal groove, urethral opening, or penile body, and sometimes can be complicated by urethritis. Most patients have bilateral inguinal lymph node enlargement. Genital herpes mostly occurs at the junction of the skin and mucous membranes, starting with mild localized redness of the skin, followed by clusters of small pinpoint-sized blisters with mild itching and burning sensation, which dry out and form brown scabs after a few days, with slight hyperpigmentation after the scabs fall off, but also disappearing quickly. Diagnosis The clinical diagnosis of genital herpes needs to be confirmed by laboratory tests. Specific serologic tests: Accurate type-specific HSV serologic tests are based on HSV-specific glycoprotein G (HSV-2 with glycoprotein G2, HSV-1 with glycoprotein G1). The sensitivity of existing type-specific serologic tests for detecting HSV-2 antibodies is 80%-98%, and the specificity is ≥96%. Treatment Treatment principles: Antiviral drugs are effective in most symptomatic patients and are the current mainstream treatment. Systemic administration of antivirals can partially control the signs and symptoms of herpes attacks when used to treat first clinical episodes and recurrences, and as daily suppressive therapy. However, these drugs do not eradicate the latent virus and do not reduce the risk, frequency, or severity of recurrences after discontinuation. Randomized studies have shown that acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are effective in the treatment of genital herpes. Topical antiviral drugs are not recommended because of their limited efficacy.